As the largest order in aviation history, it is doubtful that any manufacturer could have met AA's needs... combined with the financial assistance that Airbus is offering. Combined with the financial situation AA is in, and the only way this deal is being done is because Airbus wants a piece of AA's business and Boeing has no choice but to do things for AA they probably wouldn't otherwise do - or if they start doing it for AA, they will be forced to do it for other airilnes or lose their business.
This agreement does not involve any aircraft from any of the smaller manufacturers - Embraer, Bombardier, or others... a major order for 100-140 seat jets to mfrs other than Airbus or Boeing could change the way A and B have to compete and price their products.
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Get over the Airbus-Boeing rivalry.... airlines around the world - including in Europe - have bought Boeings for decades and Boeing still dominates the large/long-haul segment when it comes to aircraft in service and value of order book.
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What is interesting is that Boeing still has a sizeable portion of this order and that Boeing realized they need to come up with a reengined 737 - even though Boeing hasn't announced it, AA expects to be the launch customer. If Boeing moves ahead w/ a full 737 replacement, they could win after all- not giving up huge parts of the current 737s and offering a superior aircraft in the long run. Competition is good for everyone.
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This will go a long ways to helping reduce AA's fuel costs but it still is no assurance that other airlines can't do the same thing and reduce their non-labor operational costs as well.
It will be interesting to see if the AA order kicks off an orders race by US manufacturers.